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Deadheading mistake gardeners make that could be killing your plants
Deadheading plants can encourage new flowers to grow and keep plants thriving for months - but one common mistake could be having the opposite effect.
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Unlock a Summer of Blooms: Expert Tips for Petunia Care
Gardeners seeking to maximize their summer blooms can benefit from expert advice on proper plant maintenance. A recent viral video highlights two crucial techniques for bedding plants, particularly petunias, to ensure continuous flowering and robust growth. According to gardening expert 'View From The Potting Bench ,' many common practices for removing faded flowers are incorrect. "There's a right and a wrong way to deadhead your bedding plants, and I bet you've been doing it wrong!" he states. He explains that simply pulling off dried flower heads leaves the seed pod intact, which causes the plant to focus energy on seed production rather than producing new blooms. The correct method involves snipping the stem behind the faded flower, which signals the plant to produce more flowers. The expert also addresses the issue of "leggy" plants, a common problem during hot weather. He advises gardeners not to worry if their plants become stretched out. "This excess legginess is just because of the heat that we've been having," he notes. The solution, he explains, is to cut these leggy stems back hard. While this temporarily removes current flowers, it encourages the plant to "bounce back stronger than ever," leading to a more compact, bushier plant with an abundance of new blooms in just a couple of weeks. These simple yet effective tips promise a more vibrant and productive garden throughout the summer season.
